2008 to 2009

2008 was a crazy year for us.

* We discovered new loves (Basketball)

* Learned things about ourselves

* Followed our passions

and

* Started on the right path to make 2009 Great!!

2009

In 2009 we decided there are a couple of things missing from our lives that we need to incorporate. Mainly more saving, for us and the kids! So here are a few of our 2009 resolutions.

1. Teach the children Fiscal responsibility...

• The time card

We decided that the time card would be best. The kids keep how many points they receive each day (like a job). Each point is worth 10 cents if they get over 25 points in a week then each point is worth 20 cents -- Example 25 points x .20 cents = $5.00.

2. Teach and follow the saving and giving rule.

• The boys (and us) will divvy up their earnings as follows


• 10% give, 20% save, 70% spend

We hope that this will follow the boys through their whole life!

3. Volunteer and give to charities

Some of our favorites:

• http://www.mynewredshoes.org/


• http://www.snbw.org/


• http://www.wvcommunityservices.com/


• http://ohlonehumanesociety.org/

we will be researching others before we decide which ones we will volunteer or donate to, but we feel that it is important for our children to see and help us give back some of what we are blessed with.

I am sure that there are a million more things we can come up with, but these are at the top of our lists!

Christmas

Boy were we busy this month...

Jacob's class made ginger bread houses

(Ryan was mad because Jeremy didn't get a holiday party again this year)

Our Tree (Looks so much shorter than 9 feet)

Christmas Eve at Nana and Poppies with the whole family

Me and Jake being silly

Janae, Jacob, and Jeremy

(You can totally see the personalities in this picture!)

Yea for Presents!!

Jacob got a Laptop (He was Excited)

Jerm got corn dogs (HEHEHE it was Xbox wireless)

Jerm and his Xbox Wireless

The boy loves Halo -- what can I say

Jake got a Cell Phone!

(he was so excited he jumped up and gave me a hug BEFORE he even finished unwrapping!)

To wrap it up Jeremy got to spend time with his family on his mom's side.

New Year here we come!!!

Christmas Train and Warriors Game

It was nice to have a quiet weekend this week! Last week was super busy!! I went Christmas shopping, since I am off work right now I got to go first thing in the morning to beat the crowds it was great! Ryan was happy too - he hates shopping.

We went on the Niles Christmas Train and was slightly disappointed since there was no Christmas music and we apparently got the train with all of the babies. We made the best of it though!

Jake and Jerm at the end of the ride

Jake's self portrait

Me and Big Jerm

Rylo and the Boot



The Warriors Game - We are usually early

Boot's Pepsi Commercial

**This Weekend

• Christmas in the Park
• Crazy Cookie Making
• Friday Game Night

Ghiradelli and Tree Trimming

Most of you that know me know that I LOVE Christmas! It is by far my favorite time of the year.

This year we finally got to visit Ghiradelli Square for the tree lighting ceremony. If we get to go again we now know that closer is better!!

Judging from the amount of people shopping and eating it is hard to believe there are tougher times to come.

Me and Ryan Under the Tree

Jeremy, Shane, and Jacob

Jacob and Shane with their hot apple cider

The boys found Scrooge!

Leaving the square

Putting up the tree

Jeremy and Brody's new favorite spot!

Thanksgiving Day!

This year I am thankful for so many things in my life...

• Two gorgeous little boys
• A handsome and loving hubby to spend the rest of my life with
• In - Laws that will host a thanksgiving and are kind and generous
• Family and Friends sometime one in the same
• Good weather
• Good health for me and my family
• A happy home
• Laughter
• The opportunity to grow everyday

I could go on forever, but I will spare you the grief!

Here are the pictures from this great day!

Nana - The host

Brody and Molly

My Baybuh

My Red Head

My Jerm Dig

GG - Beautiful

Poppy - and me a little worried about what he plans to do with that thing!

Me and GG

Margo, So glad she could make it -- She is one of my all time faves!

- Danny

- Jerm

Weekend Away

For Ryan's birthday we took a much needed vacation to Carmel. Not far but far enough! We stayed in a B&B the owners were soooo nice and accommodating!

While we were there we did everything under the sun! We went to a street fair where they were selling crafts. Toured the shops, ate at the restaurants, went to the Mission and visited the beach. We then went on the historic 17 Mile drive!

Our Bed and Breakfast


The Mission

Ryan with Mary

Me and Mary

Ryan in prayer

Flowers at the Mission. I had to add them because I thought they came out so nice!

The view from our table at dinner on Saturday!

The Beach. Only two blocks from our B&B!

Pebble Beach just off the 17 Mile Drive!

Poppies Birthday Pictures

Here is Lynne and Penny

Ross getting ready to blow out the candles...

And of course the boys

We had a great weekend! I had to work on Saturday, but after work Ryan got Guitar Hero 2?? And they rocked out all afternoon while I cleaned up for Poppies Birthday dinner.

Sunday we had Danny, Jana, Andrew, Janae, Don, Penny, and of course Nana, Poppie and GG for a surprise celebration for Poppies birthday -- Boy were they surprised!!

Fun Stuff!!! Pictures to come!

Month of October...

Its always good times when the fellas are present! Shane was over and they ran all the way down the street to catch the Ice Cream Man -- I guess it was totally worth the excersize!

Meanwhile, Brody was exhausted from all the video game playing!!

Janae's birthday was fun and fit for a princess!

Unfortunately we did not get pictures of our time out at the warriors game! It was fun even thought the Warriors lost to the Hornets. We did get t-shirts and the boys were so excited that they want to go back!

And of course there was the pumpkin patch and corn maze! I hope Ardenwood Farms is operational next year! We miss it!

Here is Danny, Jana, Andrew and Janae before we go into the corn maze.

And our fam!

Yeah for trick or treating!!! This year we made the boys costumes! It was totally worth it and they had a great time with it too!

Here are the boys with Granpa...




Here is Poppie in his costume!

We had so much fun trick or treating with the boys in nana and poppies neighborhood! It rained on our parade but didnt stop us from getting a pillow sack full of snacks!

Last week we went to Nijo Castle for Dinner - I think the boys loved it!!

Finally we will be getting professional pictures done with Tiffany Johnson Photography - Cant wait to share her great work!